Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hanna City, IL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands. When obtained near the scalp, hair may reveal a detection span of up to about three months for alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's width) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, supplements, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale is recommended to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be obtained. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test outcomes encompasses four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's framework. This phase ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a swift preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests recognize drug use up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical patterns: It reveals drug usage trends over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth variances can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over urine testing in Hanna City, IL? The answer lies in superior detection and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests boast an extended detection span, offering insights up to 90 days back.
The observed collection process minimizes cheating possibilities, proving more tamper-resistant than traditional methods. While urine tests serve their purpose, hair testing provides clearer, comprehensive substance use understanding.

Extended Detection Window

In Hanna City, IL, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage via its extended detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days.
This provides employers with a detailed understanding of an individual’s substance history, surpassing the scope of traditional urine tests.
By choosing hair tests, businesses gain a clearer picture of an employee's or applicant's long-term drug use, enabling more informed decision-making about their workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Hanna City, IL, significantly reduces the chance of tampering, ensuring integrity in drug screening processes.
This method's reliability stems from its inherent resistance to alterations—unlike urine samples, which are more susceptible to manipulation. Hair tests yield trustworthy, undeniable results through an observed collection process and extensive detection capabilities. For those prioritizing accuracy and security, hair tests are the ideal choice.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our convenient testing locations spanning nationwide, including Hanna City, IL, Accredited Drug Testing ensures seamless access to hair follicle drug screening.
Whether local or afar, individuals and employers benefit from ample testing centers, making the process swift and hassle-free. Achieve reliable results without the inconvenience, thanks to our extensive network of facilities dedicated to precision and ease of use.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hanna City, IL, our hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential, addressing privacy and convenience concerns.
Easily order, take, and receive results with minimal fuss, all while maintaining strict confidentiality standards. This straightforward approach empowers individuals and employers to prioritize privacy and ease-of-use in drug testing.
It's an intuitive, confidential method ensuring accurate results without complication.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround, hair follicle testing in Hanna City, IL, delivers great value for companies of every size.
Our efficient processes ensure timely results, navigating tight deadlines without sacrificing quality or affordability. Experience exceptional service and quick results, all within a budget-friendly structure.
Employers benefit from our strategic pricing and punctual results, gaining crucial insights without undue expense.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug testing in Hanna City, IL, can't be overstated. This testing method provides precise results rapidly, thanks to its advanced detection technology.
Known for its high reliability in uncovering substance use, opting for hair follicle tests ensures results that employers and individuals can trust.
With quick and precise outcomes, it's a superior option for those valuing accuracy alongside fast testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hanna City, IL, can enjoy peace of mind with hair follicle testing, knowing it bolsters compliance with drug-free policies.
This method not only maintains rigorous workplace safety standards but also minimizes legal risks. By ensuring comprehensive drug screening, companies safeguard their work environment, enhancing both safety and productivity. Embracing hair testing strengthens organizational policy adherence, fostering a safer, more compliant workplace.

Drug Testing Near Hanna City, IL

Creve Coeur, IL

Farmington, IL

Peoria, IL

Elmwood, IL

Kingston Mines, IL

Mapleton, IL

West Peoria, IL

Glasford, IL

Bartonville, IL

Lancaster, IL

Bellevue, IL

Limestone, IL

Lake Camelot, IL

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews